In order to make sure proper cleansing of the internal organ system, ancient yogic text Hatha Yoga Pradipika describes various kriya (action). In the text, there are 6 purification kriyas mentioned which work on the different regions of the body including the head, upper stomach, lower stomach, nostrils, and eyes. Vaman dhauti or kunjal kriya is used for cleansing of the upper stomach region.
What is Kunjal Kriya?
Kunjal Kriya is a yogic purification technique of Hatha Yoga to flush out the impurities from the upper digestive tract by voluntarily induced vomiting.
In this kriya, saline lukewarm water is drunk more than normal capacity. Then after keeping it inside for a few minutes water is thrown out of the stomach using finger-inducing.
This kriya is highly beneficial for acidity or indigestion related problems. Moreover, Gherenda Samhita claims that this practice when performed consistently can cure ailments of the liver and spleen. The reason is, in kunjal kriya, the undigested food particles which create toxins in the stomach are thrown out by the gush of water. If these undigested food particles are not removed from the stomach lining, later it creates a sticky yellowish-white substance called ‘Ama’.
What is Vaman Dhauti?
If we see the classification of 6 shatkarma (purification techniques), then the first one is Dhauti. Further, dhauti kriya is of 4 types based on the cleansing of different parts of the upper digestive system. The literal meaning of Dhauti is ‘washing’.
Vaman dhauti is a similar practice to kunjal kriya where the content of the stomach is thrown by induced vomiting. It’s also called vyaghra kriya (tiger-like action); Just as a tiger vomits its food after a few hours of eating it, in the same way, vomiting is done in the Vaman dhauti to flush out undigested food particles. Vaman dhauti is also known as ‘Jala dhauti’ and ‘Gaja karni kirya’.
However the procedure of both kriyas are identical, the difference is based on the timing and purpose. Vaman dhauti is done after 3 or 4 hours of having a meal whereas kunjal kriya is a morning practice that is advised to perform on empty stomach.
Vaman is also a part of popular therapy of Ayurveda called panchakarma. Here it’s practiced using some ayurvedic medicine to induce the vomit. It eliminates the excess of Kapha dosha which causes an increase in mucus, congestion in the lungs, bronchitis, cold, and cough.
Contraindications
kunjal kriya should not be performed in some physical conditions where it may cause harm. Common conditions it’s contraindicated are; In case of pregnancy, menstrual cycle, hernia of stomach, heart disease, hematemesis (blood vomiting), and abdomen tumor.
How to Do Kunjal Kriya?
- Prepare a bottle of lukewarm saline water
- Drink water in a sitting position
- Perform abdominal moments
- Induce throat to vomit
- Relax in Shavasana
1. Prepare a bottle of lukewarm saline water
Heat 1.5 – 2 liters of pure drinking water up to the body temperature (almost 37.2°C). take 1 teaspoon of salt & mix it properly with water. A beginner can use a little high proportion of salt (2 teaspoons) to produce nausea. Place a glass aside to drink fastly.
2. Drink water in a sitting position
Sit in the squat pose on the ground. Spread knees apart so that stomach is not pressing against the thighs.
Now, pour water into a pot or glass and drink 1 liter of water as fast as possible. Nothing is felt till a liter of water is consumed. Relax for a few seconds and drink left water fastly.
Now, when you feel satiated or drunk at your full capacity, you must feel nausea in the stomach. It is a good sign of cleansing. Now stand up in an upright position as soon as you drink a full quantity of water.
3. Perform abdominal moments
Perform abdominal moments to let the water moments well inside the stomach so that cleansing would be more effective.
Fastly expand and contract abdominal muscles a few times, just as if you are performing Uddiyana Bandha. Now, when you start feeling straining because of the weight of the water into the stomach, you ready to throw it out.
4. Induce throat to vomit out water
Bend your trunk forward at 90° angle while keeping feet at a distance of 1 to 1.5 ft.
Now, press your ‘stomach in’ with exhalation in the same bending position. At the same time, insert your index and middle finger of the right hand deep down into the throat.
Generally, a little pressure of finger at the end of the tongue is enough to induce vomit.
Inducing let the water come out in gushes but sometimes it comes out in a small amount in the beginning. Water comes out in tasteless & yellowish colour in beginning but after a few gushes, water comes out comparably bitter in taste. This shows undigested residue has eliminated completely in the process.
In the end of kunjal kriya, drink one glass of water for final cleansing.
5. Relax in Shavasana
After completing the drinking procedure, wash your mouth and face with clean water. relax your body in Shavasana for 10-15 minutes. after that, you can continue daily routine work or asana practice.
One should take food at least one hour after completing the kunjal kriya. Eat rice pudding or take sweet milk to get abdominal organs back in its working.
Benefits
You may feel the emptiness of your stomach after kunjal kriya or vaman dhauti practice. It’s a sign of cleansing.
Kunjal kriya and vaman dhauti has following benefits;
- Enhances digestion – On doing kunjal kriya, the load on the digestive system gets reduced for a while. It rejuvenates the functioning of digestive organs, increases appetite, relief from indigestion problems, and constipation.
- Strengthens respiratory system – Induced vomiting in kunjal kriya enhances the endurance of the respiratory muscles and decreases airway resistance. It’s helpful in the management of pulmonary disorders like bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
- Clears skin – Kunjal kriya or vaman dhauti is an effective remedy in curing various skin diseases, acne vulgaris, and itching. Yogis have observed, consistent practice of this kriya brings glow on the skin and slows down the aging process.
- Balance Kapha and pitta dosha – Kunjal kriya and vaman dhauti is most beneficial for people who have weight gain, fluid retention, allergies, fatigue, depression, and insomnia like problems. These all problem happens due to an imbalance in Kapha dosha (and associated pitta dosha). Kunjal kriya removes phlegm, mucus, infectious bacteria from the stomach lining and balances the excess of Kapha dosha.
- Helps in weight loss – kunjal kriya and vaman dhauti neutralizes the acid balance in the stomach thus helpful in counteracting the digestive fire. This helps in reducing the excessive hunger and thirst intern the obesity. Moreover, strong contractions of the stomach wall during the kunjal kriya results in toned abdominal muscles.
Precautions
- Check the lukewarm for temperature; makesure it’s neither too hot nor cold.
- People suffering from high or low blood pressure, respiration or ulcers problem should avoid this kriya.
- Make sure your fingernails are cut before you insert it on the throat, otherwise it can harm you.
- Try to throw out complete water in vomit as much you had drunk otherwise you may feel acidity.
Kunjal Kriya FAQs
It’s not recommended to practice kunjal kriya daily, however, if you’re feeling acidity, indigestion, or burning sensation continuously, it can be done on consecutive days. A healthy person should keep the frequency of kunjal kriya once a week.
Blood in kunjal kriya vomit could have several reasons. It happens sometimes due to nail scratches in the throat (especially in the case of a small child who has delicate skin) or excess pitta (bile) in the stomach. If both aren’t the case; a stomach ulcer could be the reason for it.
However, there isn’t any health risk associated with kunjal kriya but sometimes it can lead to dental erosion. The toxins from the stomach can eradicate the outer layer of teeth which leads to dental erosion. But it may only happen by daily practice, this is why kunjal kriya is not recommended daily.
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Can Jala dhauti be done when trying to conceive?
No, it’s not recommended to practise Jala dhuati kriya during this time.
After performing Jala Douthi in the morning with empty stomach, Can I have food on that day. If i can have food, What kind of food should not be taken on that day?
Vaman dhauti is good for diabetes person.
Sir after doing jala dhuthi, have I have to drink the same amount of water I consumed to vomit. because if I leave my stomach empty after this dhuthi I am having acidity problem. why is this so?
However, acidity shouldn’t be there after completing Vamana dhauti procedure; You might have acidity because you’re not throwing complete water out in the vomiting part. Drink water up to that limit where vomit starts by own and then induce it from the finger. it will help you throw out maximum water.
If still you feel acidity after complete vomit, then you can take water.
Ashish,
I have gone through your answers. You sincerely answered many questions till recent date. It really helps. Thank you for your dedication.
Carrot red colour is what I am getting when I do the kriya early morning.. for few days it was light brown and some times light red .. is that something can be cured ?
It could have several reasons; a yoga expert will better assist you in an in-person consultation after reviewing your procedure.
I was having intense nausea as well as too much indigestion and followed by fever for the same reason. I performed vamana. After drinking 3 glass, water was thrown out of my stomach which was yellowish + some pieces of food too. but I was unsatisfied as I wanted to do more and ‘en at end I am still feeling a little uneasy in stomach. previously I was having intense throbbing in the head too which is now gone
Thanks sir, but I did one mistake I didn’t able to vomit out saltwater of 1.7 liters, what should I do now? And also I did it on an empty stomach
I have hyperacidity problem I used to do it. But now I am pregnant first trimester. Can I do it? Food is not digesting properly. I am practicing it for many years.
Vamana dhauti is not recommended in pregnancy, though, It’s common to have hyperacidity problems during pregnancy.
I have been practicing Jal dhauti for a few years. After throwing up water, I noticed it was reddish. This was the first time when I noticed this color. Is this normal? What does it indicate?
Thank you.
Usually, a change in watercolor (yellowish) that comes out in jal dhauti shows the impurities of the stomach. This water must have a bitter taste as compared to normal water, has it?
Reddish color of water comes out might because of some hormonal changes (excess of iron in the body) or what you have eaten prior to it. There is nothing to worry about this.
I perform the Jal Kriya once a week along with laghu-shankha prakshalana. The water in jala kriya comes out like clean water for me because there is no excess of bile. if there is excess of bile the water would be slightly yellowish and bitter in taste (I experienced it initially). Reddish is not experienced by me, but it may indicate some other causes like ulcer… Please check with an expert.
Totally agree with you, Jagdish! But he told “This was the first time when I noticed this color”, he may have scratched his throat with nails while inducing vomit.
But yes, if it’s regularly coming then it needs expert consultancy – and it might be an ulcer.
Hi Ashish,
Same thing even I experienced. First the water was clear, but later it was reddish. This was the first time. I was doing it from last 7-8 days as I had acidity issues. Do you think I should continue doing it, even if there is reddish water coming out? Also, how to check for higher iron contents in the body?
Thanks
Hi Amol, as you’re a beginner in this practice, I would suggest you to do perform Vamana dhauti under the guidance of an expert. Reddish water generally isn’t expected in this kriya, sometimes there could be minor causes of it (ignorable) but sometimes it could have severe causes. It can only be better assisted in a personal consultation.
Thanks a lot Ashish. Though I have been doing it since a long time, this is the first time I experienced it. Though will check with an expert.
I had been under gone surgery of hernia before 9 years. Can i do vanan kriya?
Usually, Vaman Dhauti isn’t advised to people having abdominal surgery and hernia but as it has been 9 years since you have the surgery, you can do it but make sure to practice under an expert teacher.
Can I do jal dhauti 1st thing in the morning Everyday ?
I am facing lots of imbalances in my periods and getting breakouts on my face.. I want to remove heat and impurities from my body
Please help
If you think there is some imbalance going on in your internal system of organs, you can do it every day, first thing in the morning (for limited time only).
Ideally, jal dhauti is recommended once in a week. It will definitely help you during the menstrual cycle.
Sir, I have a burning sensetion early in the morning but my digestion is good. Can I perform this kunjal kriya before doing pranayam or after pranayam?
Hi,
My 10year old son is complaining of acidity since last 7-8 days. We are ensuring he has timely meals.Can we try this process and expect results?
I think it’s not advisable to do Vamana dhauti at this little age. You should personally consult an expert about this.
Can we do it daily morning?
Yes, you can do it in morning time but it’s not advised to practice on a daily basis as on daily practice it can harm the abdominal organs.
Can Vamana Dauti ( omitting water) can be done on next morning of fasting without water
Water is the medium of cleansing through which undigested food particles are driven out in Vamana Dhauti. If you don’t use water, it wouldn’t be possible to vomit.
Shatkarmas are not the practice of daily routines like yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation. Only when you feel the internal system need cleansing, practice it. After fasting, your internal system automatically works at their best so it doesn’t need any external cleansing.
Hope, your doubt has cleared.
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Vaman Dhauti to be done on empty stomach in the morning or after 3-4 hours after taking food? There is contradictory in your narration.
If no digestion problem, at what intervals it could be done for cleanse our system?
Vaman Dhauti is a very similar process to Kunjal Kriya. The only difference between these two is: Vaman Dhauti is performed after 3-4 hours of heavy meal to removes out the undigested food particles while Kunjal Kriya (Also known as Gaja Karani kriya) is performed empty stomach in the early morning which has the cleansing effect on impurities causing hyperacidity, halitosis, phlegm, and sore throats.
Even if you have no digestion problem, you can perform kunjal kriya in the interval of 2-3 days. It increases the effectiveness of glands present in the stomach lining.